Alcohol and Seizures Can Alcohol or Withdrawal Trigger a Seizure?

In people with epilepsy, binge drinking can even trigger status epilepticus, a potentially life-threatening prolonged seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes. The patient should be checked for other signs of alcohol withdrawal such as tachycardia, tachypnea, mydriasis, elevated blood pressure, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, and tremor, among others (27). In addition, perform a neurologic examination to determine possible etiology (79). Clinical features distinctive of either epilepsy or alcohol withdrawal seizures should be delimited (05). In contrast, patients in a withdrawal state frequently manifest other symptoms like tremor, anxiety, irritability, delirium, and agitation. In most cases, clinical signs and symptoms distinctive of alcohol withdrawal syndrome will develop shortly and evolve gradually (within 24 hours) after the seizure and the patient should be observed for such symptoms.

Who Experiences Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?

The link between alcohol withdrawal and the onset of seizures is well-documented. Certain metabolic disturbances caused by alcohol overdose, such as significantly low blood sugar, can also lead to seizures. Individuals with a history of epilepsy are at increased risk of seizures during alcohol withdrawal.

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

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What are the recommendations for alcohol use with epilepsy?

When GABA comes to bind to the nerve cell, it opens up a channel to a negative charge that slows down brain activity. Alcohol and other central nervous system depressants keep that channel open, causing more intense sedating effects. Medications such as clonazepam and lorazepam are benzodiazepines that can cause a life threatening interaction when mixed with alcohol. Alcohol and some antiseizure medications can have similar side effects, and taking them together can cause potentially dangerous complications. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it promotes water loss by increasing urine output.

What Triggers Alcohol Withdrawal?

Alcohol, a CNS depressant, stimulates the GABAergic system and, in acute intoxication, causes a range of clinical manifestations such as disinhibition, euphoria, and sedation. Most people with a seizure disorder (epilepsy) can drink small amounts of alcohol occasionally without experiencing an increase in seizure activity. Small amounts of alcohol do not change the blood levels of anti-seizure drugs.

• Alcohol (ethanol) depresses (slows down) your central nervous system (CNS).
• The final reference list was generated on the basis of relevance to the topics covered in this review.
• Medical history and laboratory biomarkers are the two most important methods for the identification of patients at high risk.
• For adequate alleviation of delirious symptoms, 200 mg capsules are administered (maximum 24 capsules per day) and doses are repeated every 2–3 h until sufficient calming.
• Some people describe a general “funny feeling” that happens in this phase.
• Although seizures occur in the context of alcohol withdrawal, frequently other signs of alcohol withdrawal syndrome are not present because they develop gradually (27).

Clinical data show that these seizures may occur during both intoxication and withdrawal phases, with a significantly increased risk among individuals with prolonged alcohol consumption histories. Approximately 2–5% of those who misuse alcohol will experience alcohol withdrawal seizures. However, you do not have to experience alcohol dependency to have withdrawal seizures. Alcohol-induced seizures are triggered by alcohol withdrawal in people with a long history of drinking.

• Therefore, understanding how alcohol withdrawal causes seizures is vital.
• While dependence is the result of changes in your brain’s chemical balance, addiction involves your brain’s reward system.
• A Cochrane review of studies using baclofen for acute withdrawal syndrome found very low-quality evidence and no greater efficacy when compared to placebo, diazepam, and chlordiazepoxide (38).
• Medical detox programs may also involve therapies to address alcohol use disorders.
• Alpha2-adrenergic agonists like clonidine and dexmedetomidine should not be used alone to prevent alcohol withdrawal seizures or delirium as they “do not treat the underlying pathophysiology” (79).

Self-limited (familial) neonatal epilepsy

Alcohol has the potential to enhance some side effects of anti-seizure medications,includingdrowsiness and dizziness. Alcohol can also impact how certain medications are absorbed by the body. Do not mix anti-seizure medication and alcohol without first speaking to a physician. Laboratory tests and imaging studies are critical in diagnosing alcohol seizures and providing appropriate care. If you or someone you care about abuses alcohol, you might be concerned about the negative consequences of drinking too much.

• If you experience severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, like seizures, you will most likely require hospitalization.
• The amount of alcohol intake before alcohol-related seizures was at least 7 standard drinks, or the equivalent of 1.4 liters of beer or 700 milliliters of wine.
• Behavioral treatment programs are helpful for people who want to quit drinking.

Therefore, it is critical to comprehend potential hazards alcohol withdrawal seizure along with complexities linked with seizures during this process. Tap into your social network to help support you through alcohol withdrawal. Find a supportive friend or family member to be with you while you withdraw and support your new non-drinking lifestyle. However, medical complications can occur during the acute phase of withdrawal.

Behavioral Treatment

You or anyone you are around who suffers from alcohol dependency mustn’t hesitate to get professional help. Calusa is here to provide guidance and care to meet alcoholic withdrawal and seizure prevention requirements. Therefore, do not be afraid to ask for support needed in order to have a more secure and healthier recovery period. These dangerous complications can be managed through an understanding of alcohol withdrawal and seizures.